Maryland dogs offering comfort in Newtown

Early this morning, a bus filled with Maryland dogs was set to pull up in Newtown, Conn., to begin offering comfort in wake of Sandy Hook School shooting.

Pets on Wheels, a therapy dog group, organized the effort that executive director Vicki Rummel said would ferry about 23 pets to Connecticut -- dogs of all types and at least one cat.

"The shooting was such a tragedy that we felt that we had to do something," Rummel told Insider. "Since we have therapy pets, it just makes sense. We felt it was something we had to do."

Twenty children were among 28 who died when a gunman broke into an elementary school on Dec. 14.

Arriving early today, Pets on Wheels plans to bring plenty of wet noses and warm fur to Newtown, then get back on the bus in time to return to Maryland by about 3 a.m. Saturday.

"The goal is to bring comfort to anyone who needs it," Rummel said. "Pets can reach people way better than people can." About 26 volunteers are also along for the mission.

Harris Bus provided the yellow school bus for the journey and a driver -- extending their insurance to do it. Wal-Mart chipped in cases of water and ice. Merchants from the Avenue at White Marsh donated toys and things to offer children.